Wyomissing Family Photographer | The Rai Family

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the Rai Family.  This was arranged at the last minute when they decided they wanted a few family photos before their son went off to Pittsburgh for college.  By a wonderful twist of fate, we all had the same evening free, and the weather turned out to be amazing!  (It seems I rarely have that type of good luck lately when it comes to my schedule and the weather!)

We started off by taking a few photos at their gorgeous home and yard.  Then, we headed to the nearby Wyomissing Park for the rest of our photoshoot.

I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet this incredible family!  I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photos from our session.

A Berks County Forever Family Session | The Francis Adoption Day!

777 is definitely a lucky number for one special Berks County family!

A few weeks ago, someone from the organization Together We Rise reached out to me to see if I was willing to photograph a local family's adoption.  I excitedly agreed, and they connected me with the family's mother.  Fast forward to this morning...

Their long awaited adoption took place at the Lancaster County Courthouse. This was the first adoption I was honored to witness, so I didn't know what to expect, besides predicting that I'd see quite a few hard-earned and well-deserved smiles.

My trip to the courthouse was significantly lengthened by standstill traffic on Rt. 222. It cleared, and I breathed a sigh of relief... only to discover more construction around the courthouse itself. Luckily, I left with a few extra minutes to spare, and arrived right on time - and the family happened to be caught in the same traffic as I was. Crisis averted.

We went through security and made our way to the courtroom (#6) only to discover that they were running behind today as well. So, we were able to catch our breaths, and we spent a few minutes waiting outside in the hallway while we could hear other families celebrating inside Courtoom #6 as their own adoptions were being processed and finalized.

A few minutes later, it was our turn, and we made our way into the courtroom. I was a little disappointed to find out that I wasn't allowed to photograph any of the proceedings and had to wait until after everything was finished to snap a few photos of the family and the judge who granted the adoption. If I was allowed to take photos then, you would have seen loving parents smiling from ear to ear, excited children who were beaming as their new legal names were read out, and exuberant family members and case workers who were there to show their support. It was so heartwarming, and I shed more than a few tears of my own. (Mental note, pack tissues the next time I photograph one of these!!)

As the parents were finishing their testimonies (and I found out we share the same wedding anniversary!!), the courthouse fire alarm went off. Everyone had to exit the courthouse and wait for the okay to go back inside. Talk about an exciting morning! A few minutes later, we were allowed back in, and after making our way back through security and back into Courtoom #6 again, we finished up the official adoption proceedings. I snapped a few photos of the family together with the judge, and then we made our way to a local park to capture a few family photos.

I am so happy that I was able to donate my time and talent to this family. This is a day that they will all remember for the rest of their lives, and I am honored to have been a part of it. I think everyone should be able to witness this type of joy at least once in their lives.  After 777 days in foster care, and an incredibly exciting morning, these amazing brothers have been granted their wish - crowned princes of their loving forever family.

Congratulations, Francis family! Thank you for allowing me to share this incredible day with all of you.

Leesport, Pennsylvania Fall Child Session | Xavier (Class of 2029)

Xavier and his mommy were some of my very first clients when I just started chasing after this photography dream of mine.  It has been such a joy watching Xavier grow up, and seeing his personality develop over the years.  He is such a character (I mean that in the best way), and always keeps me on my toes!  I always take way too many photos during our time together, mostly because he is so expressive, so full of joy, and he's always on the move!  Our session a week ago was no different!

I was looking forward to our fall session for weeks!  But, the forecast that day was looking ominous.  Xavier's mom found a perfect location for us that would allow Xavier's personality to shine through, and where we could take cover if Mother Nature had different plans for our session that day.  When we arrived, the skies were cloudy and gray, and there was intermittent rain... that turned into a full downpour right at the end of the our session.  The location ended up being perfect, though.  It was landscaped beautifully, provided us cover when we needed it, and even offered up some interesting props that Xavier was crazy about!  You'll have to check out the photos to see for yourself!

Thank you, Audrey, for trusting me to capture these moments for your incredible family.  And thank you, Xavier, for providing me with countless smiles when I photograph you and again when I edit all of the photos from your sessions!  I love reliving these moments over and over again when I look through your photos.

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photos from our time together.

Blue Marsh Lake Family Session | The Carr Family

I met Jeff and Ashley a few years ago when my daughters joined the Ski Roundtop Race Club snowboard race team.  Jeff has been an amazing coach and mentor to my girls over the years, and whenever we see him and Ashley together on the mountain, you can just see him light up.  Seriously, they are perfect together!

Fast forward to last March when their incredible family grew by one.  I had the honor of capturing Luna's newborn photos, and during our entire session I saw that glow on Jeff's face again - but it was even brighter this time.

We got together again last weekend for Luna's six month photos, and you could see it again.

Ashley and Luna are his world, as he is theirs.  It has been such an honor photographing their family the past year, and I am looking forward to many more sessions with them.  Thanks, Carr Family, for driving to Blue Marsh Lake all the way from Harrisburg!!  I can't wait to see everyone again on the snow!  Until then, here are a few of my favorite photos from our morning together.

Douglassville, PA Family Session | The Gumbas - Part 2

Back in July, I met up with Sarah and her three amazing sons for a family session at St. Peter's Village.  Her husband wasn't able to join us for that session, so I offered to stop by and capture a few photos of the entire family at a later date.  That second photoshoot came to fruition last week!  Their property is the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot, so I met up with them (and the spunky Australian Shepherd that they recently rescued) at their home in Douglassville.

Sarah and Frank showed me a photograph of a family who had previously lived in their home, dated 1900. They thought it would be fun to recreate that image with their own family, and I agreed!  After we captured that photo, we walked around their property for a few more family shots.  As always, my time with the Gumba Family was filled with smiles, laughter, and chasing the kiddos around on their four wheelers.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together.  This is my third session with their family, and their love, energy, and incredible sense of humor and "realness" has easily made them one of my favorite families to capture!

The Mest Family at Blue Marsh Lake

Early Sunday morning, I met up with the Mest Family at Blue Marsh Lake.  When we arrived, the sky was overcast and the mist was still forming on the surface of the lake - it made for some really nice lighting at the edge of the water!

This session was originally planned for Julie and Andy and their two children - but Julie's sister was out of town, and Julie asked if she could bring her nephews and mother along to surprise her sister with some pictures of her children and their grandma upon her return.  I was happy to oblige!  What a kind, thoughtful gesture!!

I had such a great time chasing these kiddos (and grown ups) around Blue Marsh Lake!  They have such fun personalities, and it is obvious that they share a strong bond.  Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

Reading, Pennsylvania 4 Generations Session | The Sheipe Family

All because two people fell in love...

This photoshoot was months in the making!  I was contacted last year by Jim and Danielle, asking if we could arrange a family photoshoot as a gift to their parents.  As a wife and a mother to 3 busy daughters, I know how hard it is to find time that we will all be available as a family - I can only imagine the difficulty involved in choosing a date and time that 32 family members (some driving in from as far away as Pittsburgh) would all be able to get together for a photoshoot!  Well, we did it!  We found a spring afternoon that would work for everyone!   ...And then, Mother Nature decided to throw a hurricane into our plans and we had to reschedule!

Two seasons later, we were finally able to chisel out some time in all of our busy schedules and create these images. Thank you, everyone, for traveling near and far... and for sacrificing watching the Eagles/Steelers game that afternoon.  I hope these portraits are cherished by your family for years to come, and I am honored that you asked me to capture these for you. 

And thank you, Forry Family, for staying behind afterwards for a quick family session.  It was an honor getting to know everyone, and sharing smiles and laughs with you.

Big thanks to my incredible husband for assisting me!  It's not easy to get 32 people into place for a large group shot, but he made it seem effortless.   (Also - I LOVE how everyone was able to coordinate their outfits for this session!  Great job, everyone!!)

I hope you enjoy some of these photos that captured four generations of the Sheipe Family.

Berks County Newborn Session | Sean

A few weeks ago, I photographed this adorable little guy and his very proud parents!  He was only 12 days new and already had his mommy and daddy wrapped around his tiny little baby fingers and toes.  It was such a pleasure meeting everyone, and I am looking forward to many more family sessions with them!

Congratulations again, and welcome to the world, Sean!!

Saint Peter's Village Family Session | The Gumbas - Part 1

Last year, I had the pleasure of photographing the Gumba family for the first time, at their amazing property.  That session is still one of my favorite sessions to date, because we ended up abandoning all plans for posed shots and took more of a candid, lifestyle approach.  I love letting kids just be themselves - I find that's when they (and their parents) truly shine!

This year, our session took place the same day as a fishing trip that Dad was really looking forward to, so we decided to focus on Sarah and her three boys.  We opted to go with a different location this time, to mix up the backgrounds from last year.  Due to the nature of the location, and the tendency of 3- and 6-year olds to want to explore, we had to be a little less "lifestyle" and a little more hands-on, but we still captured some amazing photos of the boys being themselves!  Even though they are exploring their independence at this age, it is so obvious how much they love their momma.  It was also obvious when they decided they were finished having their photos taken!  See if you can figure it out in the images below. ;)

This family has forever earned a big space in my heart!  I love them for their energy, their sense of humor, and the fact that they are just so real!  They are unapologetically authentic, and I think we need more people like that in the world.

Thank you, Sarah!  Thank you for allowing me to take your family photos, and thank you for being you.  You are such a breath of fresh air.  Your kiddos rock, too.  Here are a few of my favorites from the session.

Berks County Personal Session | Akina

Tonight, just because I felt moved to do so, I asked Akina to grab her violin and hop in the car with me.  We drove down the road and I stopped as soon as the light felt right.  We got out, got my camera ready, and she played her violin for me for a few minutes.  Here are some photos.